RobNyc
Premium
join:2002-03-06
New York, NY | Best Choice for Server OS ?
I am about to setup my own server at work.
I know the most popular ones are CentOS, RedHat, FreeBSD, Win2k3.
I was wondering what you guys here started off with or recommend nowadays? |
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Cabal
Premium
join:2007-01-21
Boston, MA | FreeBSD. But really, use whatever you're comfortable with, meets your needs, and have the time to maintain. |
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nightshade74
Yet another genxer
Premium
join:2004-11-06
Prattville, AL
edit:
October 6th, @10:54PM
| reply to RobNyc
What are you going to be doing with it?
You might also want to consider debian.... |
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MaxCras
join:2008-09-19
Mount Clemens, MI | reply to RobNyc
I prefer OpenSuSE 10.3 |
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graysonf
Premium,MVM
join:1999-07-16
Fort Lauderdale, FL | reply to RobNyc
There are too many to choose from, everybody will recommend something different and you won't be any closer to a decision  |
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MaxCras
join:2008-09-19
Mount Clemens, MI
 ·WOW Internet and C..
| said by graysonf  :There are too many to choose from, everybody will recommend something different and you won't be any closer to a decision Perhaps we should ask what he plans on doing with this server then... lol |
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graysonf
Premium,MVM
join:1999-07-16
Fort Lauderdale, FL
edit:
October 6th, @11:50PM
| That was asked, it won't matter, there are still too many to choose from, everybody will recommend something different and he won't be any closer to a decision |
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Steve
R.I.P. 3B2
Consultant
join:2001-03-10
Tustin, CA
| reply to RobNyc
The version that's most likely to be a smooth ride because so many people use it and target their software for it is CentOS, mainly because it's based on commercially-supported Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and it has very wide server-grade hardware support.
Your milage may vary for alternate flavors of "Best".
Steve
--
Stephen J. Friedl | Unix Wizard | Microsoft Security MVP | Tustin, California USA | my web site |
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bentman78
Bentley
join:2004-04-16
Arlington, VA
| I concur with Steve, plus CentOS will have a long support/lifecycle. You won't need to be running the latest and greatest on your servers, you need them to be stable and secure.
I'd also like to throw Ubuntu LTS in there as well. I've run servers on it and it's stable and easy to maintain. But You can't go wrong with CentOS if you want a linux based server since it's similar to Redhat and that's what's used in the enterprise more often than not when it comes to Linux servers.
Windows? Why would you put that on this forum? Win2k3 isn't bad. I work in a mixed OS shop and Win2k3 has been a decent OS. I wouldn't list that as a choice on this forum though...
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The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery. -- Winston Churchill |
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debGuy
| reply to RobNyc
I would suggest sticking to whichever you're used to, as each major distro seems to have file structures that differ just enough to drive one (me) crazy. |
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JohnInSJ
Premium
join:2003-09-22
San Jose, CA
 ·SONIC.NET
| reply to RobNyc
CentOS/RHEL are geared towards the server world (Linux)
If you want to go for unix, FreeBSD.
I personally would not run any Windows-based server for personal use. The *nix variants are just a lot easier to administer/keep safe, and are a lot more free
Unix vs Linux is a whole different ball of wax.
Since this is a work server, your own IT department might impose some guidelines on you - have you checked with them?
--
My place : »www.schettino.us |
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Derspankster
Premium
join:2003-02-12
Marion, OH | reply to RobNyc
I use Ubuntu Server LTS but it's just because I'm used to Ubuntu.
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I thought I made a mistake once but I was wrong |
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bbrkdub
join:2001-10-03
Arlington, VA | reply to RobNyc
Generally, I'd go with CentOS or FreeBSD. However, it also depends on the purpose of the server, and the environment which you're comfortable.
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Hope this helps... |
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RobNyc
Premium
join:2002-03-06
New York, NY
| reply to RobNyc
Basically this server was just given to me.
So I can learn , do whatever I want on it.
So I can do whatever I want on it.
I am leaning towards CentOS, PCBSD(FreeBsd) or Debian.
Right now since the most I've seen on servers is CentOS/Redhat and FreeBSD on servers, thats what I'll be looking at. I heard that Ubuntu Server is no good at all.
Thanks everyone . Please continue |
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sremick
FreeBSD on the desktop
join:2001-11-11
Bristol, VT
| said by RobNyc :I am leaning towards CentOS, PCBSD(FreeBsd) or Debian. Thumbs-up for FreeBSD, but don't use PC-BSD. Your server doesn't need a GUI, and PC-BSD (besides being GUI and desktop-focused) does some funky nonstandard package things that would only matter to some desktop newbie.
Stick with vanilla FreeBSD. If it's good enough for Yahoo, it's good enough for you. |
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RobNyc
Premium
join:2002-03-06
New York, NY
| reply to RobNyc
Well.
I decided either CentOS or Debian.
I flipped a coin 7 times and CentOS won twice and Debian won 5 times.
But then I thought. CentOS is the most widely accepted mainstream server distro. And debian F**kin lost that title a decade ago |
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Steve
R.I.P. 3B2
Consultant
join:2001-03-10
Tustin, CA | Debian is still quite widely supported, and it's probably a good second choice if your goal is mainstream-ness. |
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rec9140
Provoice just DO it
join:2003-07-29
Mulberry, FL
·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to RobNyc
CentOS....CentOS...
If you look at any number of the various hosting companies you will see CentOS.
For a personal server I don't think that you could go wrong with any of the choices except one, you can decide which one **cough**winslopper**cough***
CentOS will do you well.
--
Ban all copyright, trademarks, and IP laws!//Lorem ipsum ei pro stet equidem labores, at enim animal expetenda nec. Ea vix argumentum dissentiunt, usu esse ridens ex. |
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RobNyc
Premium
join:2002-03-06
New York, NY
| reply to RobNyc
I ended up putting Ubuntu-Server .
The box had FreeBSD, when I was trying to load up the CentOS 5.2 net-install iso cd, linux text, askmethod or graphic was kernel panicking.
So i was shit, let me just put ubu-server and see.
So I was like blah i'll play with that for a few days.
I gotta change the specs on the server anyways its a P4 1.5ghz, 512mb ram.
Hopefully find a nicer cpu around here in the shelves and add more ram. Has a 80gb drive. |
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koitsu
Premium
join:2002-07-16
Mountain View, CA
edit:
October 8th, @08:46AM
| said by RobNyc :... when I was trying to load up the CentOS 5.2 net-install iso cd, linux text, askmethod or graphic was kernel panicking. Funny -- that's the exact same problem I had when I tried CentOS about 8-9 weeks ago. Tried it on two completely different systems (different mainboards), same problem.
We use CentOS at work, but it's a very customised version and deployed in a unique way (PXE booting for starters). It works quite well; it's like RH/FC but without all the crap.
As for the original question: FreeBSD is worth considering, assuming you're willing to put up with all the crap that's gotten in the way of you getting things done. Otherwise, consider Linux (what distrib? I have no idea, they all seem to suck in one way or another -- and I can't take Ubuntu Server seriously because all of the documentation for it simply punts you to the Workstation docs, which are horrendous) or OpenSolaris. |
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